Environment

One of the greatest challenges facing government and business leaders today is ensuring that our economic development is environmentally sustainable. There is a strong demand for public policies on a host of issues, such as water use, air quality, carbon emissions, environmental assessments, bio-diversity and at-risk species. The Council is committed to providing decision makers with responsible, evidence-based advice on how to promote economic development that meets the needs of environmental stewardship.

The new NDP government is considering options for management of species at risk in BC, and has signalled an intention to introduce stand-alone species at risk legislation. The Business Council supports the idea in-principle, but we urge the government to take time to explore the best options for ensuring effective management of species while also maintaining the province’s competitiveness and a vibrant natural resource sector.

Affordability is a key challenge for people residing in the City of Vancouver (COV). Yet, earlier this week, the COV’s Green Buildings Policy for Rezoning came into effect. Once implemented, it is sure to exacerbate this problem, not just for citizens of COV but for the province as a whole as well as for the surrounding municipalities of Metro Vancouver. The policy effectively bans the use of natural gas in new buildings. It also sets the stage for Vancouver to squeeze out natural gas as an energy source for existing buildings and facilities over time.

BC2035 is about creating a shared vision of BC’s future and laying down a pathway to realize that vision. It is about initiating conversations, fostering greater collaboration and getting politicians, policy makers, First Nations leaders, and business leaders to think about, prepare for and act on the future.

The Business Council of British Columbia welcomes today’s decision by the province to grant an environmental assessment certificate, with conditions, to the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project and to confirm that this project has met the government’s five conditions. This is an important step in advancing a nationally significant project that will deliver benefits to British Columbia communities and workers while meeting growing global demand for oil.

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office, it is clear that major changes are in store for American climate and energy policy. Mr. Trump’s cabinet appointments, read in conjunction with the Republican Party’s platform in the 2016 election, leave little doubt that the United States will be adopting an approach to climate and energy policy that differs markedly from the one embraced by the outgoing Obama administration.

The Business Council of British Columbia welcomes today’s approval of the $11.4 billion Pacific Northwest LNG processing plant by the Federal Government, which comes after a thorough environmental assessment process.

On September 22, 2016, Greg D'Avignon, President and CEO of the Business Council wrote to the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, regarding the Pacific Northwest LNG project.

The Business Council of British Columbia today released the following statement from Greg D’Avignon, president and chief executive officer and Jock Finlayson, executive vice president and chief policy officer, in response to the provincial government’s new Climate Leadership Plan:
“The Business Council of British Columbia acknowledges the government’s efforts to use science- supported data and to consult a broad spectrum of interests in developing its updated climate plan, with the goal of ensuring that BC remains a climate policy leader in North America.